In The News
Breast Cancer Screening Controversy: What You Need to Know
Screening mammograms save lives. There is no controversy there. But how often to screen and at what age? This is where the varying opinions lie. Two years ago, the American Cancer Society changed mammography recommendations, ruling that for average-risk women, yearly mammograms should start at age 45, not 40, and transition to every other year … Read More
Breast Cancer Battle Requires More Than Awareness
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but what we need more than passive awareness is proactive prevention. By virtue of their sex, all women are at risk of developing breast cancer. Knowing your individual risk can help you minimize the likelihood of developing the disease. For example, we know that having a mother, sister or … Read More
Hoag Program Makes Early Breast Cancer Detection its Mission
As women grow older, their risk of breast cancer goes up, too. But regardless of age, experts say the earlier it's detected, the better the outcome. One Orange County program is making early detection their mission. It was unseen on a mammogram and difficult to discern on an ultrasound, but trained eyes detected the unthinkable … Read More
Early Detection and HERA Helped Me Arrest the Spread of Breast Cancer
As the daughter and great-granddaughter of breast cancer survivors, I knew I was at increased risk of developing breast cancer. My Ashkenazi Jewish heritage also increased the likelihood I would develop cancer in my lifetime. But I had heard once breast cancer “skips” a generation, and I clung to that falsehood desperately. Still, when my … Read More
HPV Vaccine Can Help Prevent Cervical Cancer
There aren't many cancers that are preventable. Cervical cancer is one of them. In fact, I look forward to the day this cancer will be a rare phenomenon in the United States. Cervical cancer is a condition that can affect any woman, a message we've heard recently from Erin Andrews, sportscaster for Fox NFL, who … Read More
Hoag Receives Women's Choice Award
Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach received the 2017 Women's Choice Award as one of America's best hospitals for heart care and obstetrics, according to a news release. It is the fourth consecutive year Hoag received the award. “Our commitment to providing an unsurpassed level of personalized care to the community we serve starts with the … Read More
Endometrial cancer is treatable but can still kill
After journalist Gwen Ifill died of endometrial cancer in November, many women have been asking me about this disease. And with good reason. While endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer, it is typically the most treatable: The five-year survival rate is nearly 82%. I don’t know enough about Ifill’s case to say why … Read More
Savalia Named to Hoag Director Position
Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach has named Dr. Nirav Savalia, a clinical assistant professor of surgery at USC, as director of oncoplastic and aesthetic breast surgery. Oncoplastic surgery combines plastic surgery techniques with tumor removal to preserve aesthetics. Savalia will develop Hoag's breast reconstruction program. “Dr. Savalia is a highly skilled, dedicated surgeon who understands … Read More
Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program – Turning Awareness into Action
Just by virtue of their gender, all women are at risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Knowing your individual risk can make all the difference. That is why Hoag Breast Center in Irvine now offers the Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) program, which goes beyond screening mammograms to give women the in-depth information they … Read More
'Watch-and-wait' puts women at risk of breast cancer
Some in the medical field are trumpeting a “watch-and-wait” approach to early-stage breast cancer, leaving women with a misunderstanding of the best possible treatment options available. Ductal carcinoma in situ is the presence of cancer cells inside the milk ducts of the breast, and is commonly referred to early-stage, or Stage 0, breast cancer. Cancer … Read More